SR 156 begins at an intersection with U.S. Route 27 (US 27)/SR 1 north of Armuchee in Floyd County.

It heads northeast through rural areas until it enters Gordon County.

They split, with SR 156 heading to the northeast, and then to the southeast, over a CSX Transportation railroad, to an intersection with US 41/SR 3 (North Wall Street).

SR 156 continues to the southeast and heads east to an interchange with Interstate 75 (I-75).

The highway heads northeast and east to meet its eastern terminus, an intersection with US 411/SR 61 north of Ranger.